Multi‐modal models using fMRI , urine and serum biomarkers for classification and risk prognosis in diabetic kidney disease

BACKGROUND: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a powerful tool for non-invasive evaluation of micro-changes in the kidneys. This study aims to develop classification and prognostic models based on multi-modal data. METHODS: A total of 172 participants were included, and high-resolution multi-parameter fMRI technology was employed to obtain T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD), and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) sequence images. Based on clinical indicators, fMRI markers, serum and urine biomarkers (CD300LF, CST4, MMRN2, SERPINA1, l-glutamic acid dimethyl ester and phosphatidylcholine), machine learning algorithms were applied to establish and validate classification diagnosis models (Models 1-6) and risk-prognostic models (Models A-E). Additionally, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, precision, area under the curve (AUC) and recall were used to evaluate the predictive performance of the models. RESULTS: A total of six classification models were established. Model 5 (fMRI + clinical indicators) exhibited superior performance, with an accuracy of 0.833 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.653-0.944). Notably, the multi-modal model incorporating image, serum and urine multi-omics and clinical indicators (Model 6) demonstrated higher predictive performance, achieving an accuracy of 0.923 (95% CI: 0.749-0.991). Furthermore, a total of five prognostic models at 2-year and 3-year follow-up were established. The Model E exhibited superior performance, achieving AUC values of 0.975 at the 2-year follow-up and 0.932 at the 3-year follow-up. Furthermore, Model E can identify patients with a high-risk prognosis. CONCLUSION: In clinical practice, the multi-modal models presented in this study demonstrate potential to enhance clinical decision-making capabilities regarding patient classification and prognosis prediction.